Michelle Scott, PMHNP

More Clinicians

Jessica Fairchilds is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with over 8 years of experience in many psychiatric settings and populations. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and is passionate about providing high quality, comprehensive mental health services. Jessica prides herself in her patient-centered approach by fostering strong provider-patient relationships to achieve optimal treatment outcomes. In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and young daughters, traveling the globe, or getting lost in a historical fiction novel.

Jessica is highly focused on building a strong therapeutic relationship with her clients while making them feel heard and validated. She strives to provide the highest level of care while exploring different treatment options to find what works best for each individual.

Jessica will focus on learning about the client as an individual and learning the concerns of the client while working to develop an individualized treatment plan. She uses her extensive knowledge of medications and therapy techniques to guide treatment options for the best outcomes.

Gisela Ayub, PMHNP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Gisela Ayub, DNP, PMHNP-BC is a Nationally Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who received her first master's in nursing from Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) and her second Masters of Nursing with emphasis in Psychiatry from Gonzaga University. Gisela also completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice Degree from PLNU. Gisela’s passion for helping those most in need started when she was just a young girl with a dream of becoming a physician someday. Life did not work the way it was planned for Gisela and she decided to become a nurse. Gisela worked as a registered nurse for over 13 years in different areas of nursing before focusing solely in the area of psychiatry. She has experience working in the areas of medical surgical, medical rehab, cardiac, oncology, labor and delivery and kidney dialysis. But her inspiration to help psychiatric patients was born from seeing the unmet needs of those patients, and the desire to be able to provide more compassionate care. Gisela's desire to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner grew stronger with time, with the only idea in her mind to provide better care for those patients.

During the 1990’s, Gisela served her country proudly and spent 4yrs in the Navy. While attending her first master's in nursing at PLNU, she volunteered at the PLNU city clinic for the uninsured and under-privileged, providing mental health assessments and therapy. After graduating PLNU, Gisela continued providing free therapy to patients at the clinic. In addition, due to her strong background in nursing, Gisela has been able to identify other medical issues that correlate to patients' mental health, and through the use of an extensive questionnaire and ongoing assessment of presenting problems, she has been able to refer patients for additional care. Gisela has also worked as a preceptor, helping other new nurse practitioners understand how to provide the best care possible and communicate with patients.

Gisela believes that it is very important to help the patient feel they are in a safe space, establish a therapeutic environment that builds trust and openness, she listens fully, and uses a comprehensive questionnaire to obtain as much information as possible from the patient, in order to make an accurate diagnosis and select the correct treatment plan. Gisela always works with the collaboration of the patient, as this is the most important part of the treatment plan. Educating patients is also one of her strong suits. Gisela wants to make sure all of her patients are aware of the type of medications they are taking, explore options if needed, and the pros and cons of medications.

Amy Gonzalez, PMHNP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Amy Gonzalez is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner as well as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has been practicing in the field of nursing since 1996. Amy has been a practicing Family Nurse Practitioner since 2007, and she started to focus on substance abuse treatment in 2010. She found that many people with substance use disorder also struggle with their mental health and went on to get her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree completing it in 2017. Her past experience includes working in both outpatient and inpatient psychiatry, 24-hour crisis care, substance use treatment, mental health court, and both adult and geriatric psychiatry. Amy has expertise in treating depression, bipolar spectrum disorder, anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, substance use disorders and thought disorders.

Amy believes in providing a safe and supportive environment where she really gets to know her patients as individuals and works collaboratively with them to develop a treatment plan. She is concerned with a patient's overall wellness, emphasizing nutrition, movement, hobbies, social connection, and mindfulness. She takes a holistic approach to treatment which focuses on evidence-based treatments including conventional medications, supplements, and alternative and complementary treatments.

Amy focuses on medication management as well as providing supportive therapy, psychoeducation, and motivational interviewing to her patients in 30-minute follow up appointments. Sometimes Amy may recommend more intense therapy and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome.

Michelle Hamilton, PMHNP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Michelle Hamilton is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a special interest in the care of adults with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and PTSD. She earned her Master of Science Degree from The Ohio State University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from The Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. Her background includes both inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, crisis stabilization, and Consult-Liaison Psychiatry. Michelle has a passion for incorporating a holistic, evidenced-based approach to improve the mental health needs of each individual client through medication and therapy while emphasizing practical lifestyle changes such as the incorporation of exercise, healthy nutrition, and stress management techniques.

Joy James, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Background and credentials

Dr. James is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with 32 years of clinical experience. She earned her medical degree from Tufts University, Boston’s affiliated program and completed her residency training at Steward St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Boston, where she initiated the residency program and received the Resident Teaching Award for excellence in teaching. Throughout her career, she has served in various leadership roles, including as Chief of Psychiatry at Pro Medica Healthcare Company.

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Treatment approach

Dr. James specializes in community adult psychiatry and is deeply invested in providing comprehensive care for individuals and families. She has extensive experience working in outpatient, inpatient, consult-liaison, and emergency room settings, allowing her to tailor treatment to diverse patient needs. Her approach prioritizes holistic, patient-centered care, ensuring that each treatment plan aligns with a patient’s specific challenges and goals.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a thorough psychiatric evaluation where Dr. James carefully reviews their symptoms, medical history, and treatment objectives. She fosters a compassionate and collaborative environment, ensuring that patients feel supported in their journey toward better mental health. Her extensive experience allows her to provide personalized treatment strategies, which may include medication management and therapeutic interventions tailored to each individual’s needs.

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Why Talkiatry?

We’re a virtual mental health practice that makes it easy to find great care. We combine quality and convenience to help you thrive—faster. Our providers, like this one, are highly trained experts who specialize in medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits your needs and comfort level.

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Michelle Corley, LISW

Staff Therapist

Michelle is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Licensed Independent Social Worker with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. Michelle has worked in a variety of settings including community mental health, crisis management, outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, and the private practice setting. Michelle has experience working with patients who are experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma symptoms. Michelle’s passion is working with women who are struggling with managing healthy coping mechanisms in the perinatal/postpartum period.

Michelle has received extensive training from the Postpartum Support International focusing on treating patients struggling with infertility, postpartum anxiety and depression, and pregnancy loss/grief. She utilizes a variety of treatment modalities ranging from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Therapy.

Michelle’s approach to therapy is compassionate, collaborative, and warm. She considers it an honor to walk alongside you during this difficult journey. Let’s talk to see how Michelle can best support you.

Jennifer Snowden, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Jennifer Snowden completed medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1995. She then completed a residency in general psychiatry at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by a fellowship in forensic psychiatry also at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia from 1995-2000. She spent ten years practicing forensic psychiatry at a state hospital in Atlanta. She then decided that she wanted to travel and spent eighteen months as a locum tenens psychiatrist primarily practicing in New England. During this time, she met her future husband and they decided together that they eventually wanted to live in the New England area. In 2013, she officially became a telepsychiatrist, which eventually provided her with the opportunity to move to Rhode Island and practice out of the home she and her husband bought there. She initially saw patients via telepsychiatry at a community mental health center in rural Georgia and later took a position as a remote consultant telepsychiatrist at Acadia Hospital in Bangor, Maine. Dr. Snowden uses a practical and realistic approach with patients to assist them in identifying small, attainable goals and then motivating them to achieve those goals. She prefers to work with adults and relishes the opportunity to work with patients who are highly motivated for change.

Geoffrey Sinner, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Background and credentials

Dr. Sinner is board-certified in Psychiatry. He completed his psychiatry residency training at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. With over 14 years of experience, he has worked in a variety of settings, including five years in inpatient psychiatry in Vermont, where he served as Medical Director for a state hospital psychiatric unit and taught medical students. He then spent five years working in an outpatient community mental health center in Pennsylvania before transitioning to telepsychiatry, providing care to individuals in Pennsylvania, Florida, and New York.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Sinner employs a collaborative, patient-centered approach, tailoring treatment plans to meet each individual's specific needs. His practice integrates pharmacotherapy with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and supportive therapy as needed. He specializes in treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADHD, neuropsychiatric disorders, developmental disorders, and personality disorders. His philosophy is to provide personalized care that makes a meaningful impact at different stages of a patient’s life.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive evaluation focused on understanding their mental health concerns, history, and treatment goals. Dr. Sinner takes a compassionate and collaborative approach, working closely with patients to create individualized treatment plans. He ensures that each patient receives a balanced and effective combination of medication management and therapeutic interventions suited to their unique needs.

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Why Talkiatry?

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Jacqueline Lewandowski, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Jacqueline Lewandowski is a board-certified physician specializing in adult psychiatry. She obtained her undergraduate degree from New York University where she studied psychology and child/adolescent mental health. Dr. Lewandowski received her medical degree from St. George's University in Grenada, before moving back to New York to complete her residency at Morningside and West Mount Sinai Hospitals. Since completion of training, Dr. Lewandowski has practiced and held teaching positions in both the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Department of Harlem Hospital and the inpatient units and psychiatric emergency rooms of Morningside and West Hospitals. Dr. Lewandowski has a wide range of experience treating a diverse spectrum of psychiatric diagnoses and populations. She strongly believes in tailoring treatments through a holistic and patient-centered lens based on individual and multi-faceted histories. During 30-minute monthly sessions, Dr. Lewandowski focuses on collaborating with patients using evidence-based treatments with an emphasis on medication management in conjunction with supportive therapy. Additionally, she may recommend bringing a therapist into your care team to help facilitate a more comprehensive treatment plan. Dr. Lewandowski looks forward to working with you to help achieve and optimize your wellness and improve your quality of life.

Akili Carter, LMHC

Staff Therapist

Akili’s approach is centered around the individual. His goal is to help people embrace their authentic self. He believes that counseling and the therapeutic process is experiential. He has been through most of the life struggles we all have been through. Akili has also written several books - the latest of which, “Be an Anomaly”, is about the autism spectrum. Beyond his passion for helping others, Akili is passionate about his family, drawing, music, and basketball.

Akili utilizes multimedia resources, oftentimes with an emphasis on writing and creativity. He works to create a warm atmosphere of welcoming energy and connection. Therapeutic modalities used include REBT, CBT, Positive Psychology, ACT, and Gottman Method.

The tools that Akili uses are those hidden within you. He uses creative therapy and behavioral techniques to help you get where you want to be. Your collaboration is a trip that you will embark on together. Akili will help you find the best solutions to the answers you have.

Nathan Roberson, LPC

Staff Therapist

Nathan Roberson is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina and a Licensed Professional Counselor in South Carolina and Texas. Nathan has a Masters in Counseling from Southern Methodist University. He has worked in primarily in outpatient settings that focused on mental health and substance use.

Nathan enjoys helping adults identify what is holding them back from creating the life that they want and working together to overcome the feelings, limiting beliefs, traumas, etc, that stand in the way of that goal.

When working with clients, the approach Nathan will use varies with what is needed to help address the issues at hand. During the sessions, Nathan will draw upon CBT, Solution-Focused, psychodynamic, and reality theory, among others. Nathan believes having the flexibility to use the best tool for the job helps because every client is different and will respond differently to a specific approach.

Sumaiyah Qureshi, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Qureshi is a Board-Certified General Psychiatrist. She was born and raised in Hyderabad, India. She underwent her medical training at Mamata Medical College, India and completed residency at Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Qureshi has gained extensive training in psychiatric inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings and has worked with diverse populations. She has practiced Telepsychiatry since her graduation, including working at community mental health centers serving the serious mentally ill in underserved areas. Dr. Qureshi's practice includes management of psychiatric disorders in adults including Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and others. She is interested in treating issues related to women's health as well. Dr. Qureshi has an empathetic and culturally sensitive approach that is patient-centered and focused on building a strong therapeutic alliance. She believes in collaborating with other providers involved in the patient's care. Her approach involves medication management in tandem with therapy techniques like CBT, Supportive therapy, IPT, and motivation therapy.

Michelle Scott, PMHNP

Education and training

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